Cotton-compress.



PATBNTBD JUNE 9, 1903';

vP. K. GROWELL.

COTTON GOMPRESS.

APPLIOATIDK FILED AUG. 14, 1902.

KO'MODEL. v 7 7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I awn whom 'agizcmw s g i 310. 730,347. PATENTED JUNHQ, 1903.

P. K. GROWELL.

COTTON GOMPRESS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1'4. 1902.

H0 MODEL. 7 SHEETSSHEET No. 730,347. PATENTED JUNE '9, 1903. P. K. GROWELL.

COTTON GOMPRESS.

APPLICATION FILED we. 14, 1902. :{0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET s.

awe/whom M/(W 21 Chic M02115 I g C P'ATENTBD JUNE 9, 1903,

P. K. GROWELL.

COTTON GOMPRESS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14, 1902.

' 7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

' I0 MODEL.

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qwi/hmm PATENTED JUNE 9, 1903.

P. K. GROWELL.

COTTON GOMPRESS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14. 1902.

' '1 sums-slum 5.

H0 MODEL.

Qm-Lhmooco PATENTED JUNE 9, 1903.

P. K. GROWELL.

COTTON GOMPRESS,

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 14, 1902.

7 8HEETSSHEET 6 H0 MDDEL.

mve-mhz PATENTED JUNE 9,

P. K. GRO WE LL. GOTTON GOMPRESS APPLIO ATION FILED AUG. 14, 1902.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

IOMODEL.

UNITED STATES:

' latented 9,

'ENT' OFFI E.

PEARL K. OROWELL, or.

COMPBESS COMPANY, OF MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE.

" srEcIFrcA'rIon forming part of Letters a licant rsallugun-14',j1e02;

To all whom it may cortcern: Be it known that 1-, PEARL K. CROWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ootton-Compresses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

forming a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for pressing fibrous materials, the.

veniently and economically handled, stored,

or transported, the apparatus being especially designed to enable the ginner or planters themselves to put the cotton up in commercial form, whereby the cost and annoyance of rehandling and compressing are avoided. I

The invention consists in an apparatus of the character specified wherein the cotton as it comes from the gin is packed in the form of a bale by being projected in successive charges or bats,the preliminary bale so formed being then pressed to the desired degree by hydraulic or other suitable appliances and confined and covered in the ordinary man nor to form a commercial bale.

The invention further consists in certain novel details of construction relating to the packing and pressing mechanism and in cer tain novel combinations and arrangements of the parts, all as will he presently dcscri bed, and pointed out particularly in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an appamtus embodying the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, but with the parts shown in Fig. 1 omitted. Fig. 3 is asectional elevation look in g toward the right, Figs. 1 and '3, it will be seen MEMPHIS, 'rnnnnssnn, ASSIGNOH'IO FARMERS TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION or 'co'r'ro-u-c om'eaess.

Fatent sm-730.347, dated June 9, 190a.

s m 110.119.5530. on an.

proper-31 d Showing the side doors with their operating mechanism, together with parts of the frame. Fig. 5- at. side elevation of the packer. Fig. 6 isa top plan view with portions broken-awayandoinitted. Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken near the feed end of the packer. Fig. 8 is an elevation of one of the came for holding the bagging or covering I for the bale, the view also showing asection of the follower. Fig. 9 is a top plan of the parts shown in Fig. 8, but with the handwheeldotted. showing the transfer-head, a portion of the Fig. 10 .is a detail section.

1 section being taken on the line 3 3,Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a'detail section through the press slide, and the means for coupling and uncoupling the two.

tion taken on the line 11 11, Fig. Figs. 12,

13,,and 14 are detail views of retainers for holding the preliminary bale in the press-box. Like letters of reference. in the several figures indicate thesame parts.

Themain frame of-the machine findicated F-i g. 11 is a horizontal secin the accompanying drawings generally by the letter A) is preferably adapted to contain both the feeding and packing mechanisms for forming the preliminary bale or package and the pressing mechanism for reducing the preliminary package to the desired density, together with auxiliary mechanism for positioning the preliminary package when it is to be pressed. r Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 and that a conveyer h is pro 'ided for delivering the cotton, preferably just as it comes from the gin, to a hopper E, and from the bottom of the hopper the cot ton is discharged by a feeder (to be presently described) into a packing-chamber formed by top and bottom walls f, confined by suitable timhering 3, and end walls formed by plates d d. The framing of the packingehamber extends beyond the chamber for a considerable distance and is independent of the main frame, being pivotally connected with the main frame'by a transverse shaft-f whereby the pack ing-chamber'may be swung or oscillated vertically, as indicated by the dotted line Z, thereby permitting the feeder Y to successively feed the cotton over the entire ciprocating packer with crank-pins on' the end face of the package. Thus the martian is packed in relatively small increments, as will be readily understood.

-The end wall or plated of the packingber when at the lower end of its movement.

The opposite end wall or plate d "is preferably simply guided in the chamber, being capable of a movement toward and; from the plate (1, and also in a plane parallel therewith, to guide the package while being transferred from the" packing-chamber to the will presently appear.

The plate '03 forms the face of a packingfollower B mounted on the forward end of a piston-rod B working back into a cylinder B", preferably of a length corresponding to the length of the packing-chamber. The cylinder may b'e'a pneumatic or a liquid cylinder, and itinay be supplied with pressure through a pipe having a stop-cock 13 therein.

Thus the follower may be advanced by pressure, and when advanced its retreat may be governed by the cock or valve B and in operation the material is packed against the resistance offered by the retreating follower, and byregulating the resistance any desired density may be imparted to-the preliminary package. I

Oscillation may be imparted toithe packing-chamber by a crank-shaft g, connected by a yoke or connecting-rod g with bearings g on the under side of the packing-chamber. The crank-shaft may be rotated-by a train of gears g and sprocket-chain g from a shaft 9 and the latter may be driven from a shaft Bfl deriving its motion from a shaft through gearing B. I

for forcing the-cottoninto the packing-chamher and which therefore constitutes a portion of the packer is illustrated particularly in Figs. 1, 5, 6, and 7. From these figures it will be seen that the hopper E discharges into awide-ch'annel, in whichis a reciprocatingmeinber formed of strips B B, the strips B being of'less width than the strips B and alternating therewith, The strips are suitably connected together andreciprocate. in the channel B, reciprocatory motion longitudinally being imparted thereto by connectingrods B connecting a cross-frame B on the rewheels B, as shown in full lines in-Fig. 6 and in dotted lines in Fig. 5. The forward end of the reciprocatory packer travels from a point in rearof the hopper opening into the packing-chamber, and for cooperation therewith to prevent the' back expansion of the cotton there is provided a vertically-movable gate formed of triangular blocks I), mounted on a pressing-chamber, as

cross-bar b which latter is in turn carried by side bars b, pivoted at b to the sides of the channel-frame B. The blocks 12 fit into the channels between the bars B and above the bars B (see Fig. 7,) and vertical oscillatory motion is imparted to the gate by cams I), mounted on the shaft B and so timed as to raise the gate as the. reciprocatory packer is advanced and to lower the same as the packer retreats.

In operation the portion of the apparatus so far described serves to preliminarily pack the loose cotton in the general form ofa bale, and it will be understood that the follower B" at the beginning of the operation is close to the feed-opening and is forced back against the resistance of the piston and pressure in the cylinder by the material forced into the packin g-chamber by the reciprocatory packer, and at the same time the packing-chamber is slowly oscillatedv past the feed-opening, so as to distribute the cotton evenly over the face of the-bale. V

Mounted on the main frame and at one side of the packing-chamber (see Figs. 3 and 11) is a pusheror transfer-follower head C, preferablyconnected with the plate (2 by a link S and with the plate d, by a detachable coupling formed by a latch (i pivoted at d on the transfer-head and having a hook end d adapted to engage a stud or shoulder d on the plate d. (See Fig. 10.) The rear end of the latch isadapted to enter a slot (i in the main frame when the transfer-head is retracted, as in Figs. 3 and 10, thereby raising the hook end and permitting the same to move back out of the path of the plate d, whereby the packing-chamber is left free to oscillate; but as the transfer-head advances the latch rides out of its slot, and its hook end engages the plate, so as to couple the plate and transferfollower, both plates and the head then ada vancing withthe preliminary package. The feeding mechanism or the mechanism The mechanism for moving the transferfollower preferably consists of a screw 1', working through a rotary nut C journaled in the frame and adapted to be rotated by gearing C? O froma shaft 0 Reverse movement may be given by any ordinary revel-sin ggear, or the direction of movement of the driving-belt C may be reversed, as will be readily understood.

The pressing or bale chamber is located at one sideof the packing-chamber, being formed by the stationaryplaten D ,the movable platen or pressing-follower I), and top and bottom doors D. The follower D is carried by the piston D of a hydraulic ram or press-cylinder 1), adapted to receive pressure through a pipe controlled by a cock D The platen I) and the cylinder D are supported by transverse beams A and the latter are in turn connected by bonds to afford the necessary strength and rigidity.

Doors D are pivoted or hinged at l), preferably on axles D extending, respectively,

beneath and above the platentD so asf to swing up and down, respectively, to permit of access to the bale forcovering and binding and also to permit of the discharge of the bale when bound and covered. To retain the doors closed until the follower has advanced the desired distance, slide-bolts D working in recesses D in the ends of the doors or in fixed parts of the casing 'm, are employed, said bolts having inturned ends with which the follower engages to withdraw the'bolts from v the fixed part of the casing as the follower reaches the forward extreme of its movement.

The axles D are connected bycro'ss-ties 1)",

preferably extending through the platen D Between the packing-chamber and presschamber, suitable guides m are provided for.

guiding the preliminary package and plates (1 d, between which it is confined. Thus the said package slides smoothly and easily into the bale-chamber without losing its shape and without expanding to any material extent.

Retainers H H H H are .provided for retaining the preliminary package in the balechamber when the transfer follower and plates d (1' are withdrawn. Said retainers are pivoted to permit theentry of. the package and drop by gravity behind the-same, the bottom-retainers H H being provided with counterweight-s H, by which they are swung into position. ject into the bale-chamber, and in order to perm it the press-follower to pass they are provided with lateral inclines H, Figs. 12, 13,

and 14, against which said followers will strike to force the retainers back, the retainers again dropping into place when thefollower has moved back.

When the preliminary package is pushed into the bale-chamber, it is also pushed into the bagging which is to form the coveringfor, This bagging is placed D D and with the portions toward the packingpham her con-- the completed bale. over the platen and follower fined beneath cams or holders Z, journaled on the platen and fol ower, -,-respectively', and

adapted to be turned by hand-wheels l on the upper ends of shafts I, so as to clamp the bagging with greater or less pressure. the bagging is thus held, the prelim inar orpackage and the sliding plates at r may pass within the same and the plates be withdrawn, leaving the bagging in place. Provision is preferably made for permitting the passage of the retainers through the transfer-follower by forming recesses or notches a in the top and bottom edges of the said f0l-' The retainers preferably pro-.

When halo a sufiicient quantity of the cotton has been packed in the packing-chamber and it has been packed to the desired density, the packing-follower' B will have moved back intoposition to engage the catch 13, where it willbe held until manually released. The release of ,the catch .13 may be efiected by turning the eccentric B, which bears on the'rear end of the catch, as shown in Fig. 1. The mechanism for operating the nut-gearC is then set in motion and the transfer-follower advanced, pushing the preliminary package transyerselythrough the guides m and into.

the bale-chamber, where it is retained ready tor the pressing operation, while the transferhead itself, together with the plates (1 d1, return to normal position. The packing-cham-.

her is now in condition ready for the packing of another charge, and the packing mechanism may be started as soon as the packing-head has been brought forward and the resistance to its retreat adjusted. The hydraulicram may at the same tiine be set .in operation,

forcing .up the followe'rl) and" compressing the material into a halo of the desired density. When the follower reaches the forward extreme of its movement, it automatically releases the doors I), permitting them to open and exposethe bale for the application of the bands and covering material. When pressure iri the ram is reduced, the follower is caused to move back to release thebale, preferably by a weight P, connected with thefollower by a flexible connection "rt, passing over a pulley 0, although other and well -known means may be employed for this. purpose. Thereleased bale dropsout of thepress-frame through the lower door-opening, and upon the cl osure-of said doors and the resetting ofthe sliding bolts the press is ready for another operation. 1 v V j The reciprocatory packer and the gatewhich cooperates therewith are of simple construe tion,}the former having a solid lower portion,

while itsupper portion has channels formed by the omission ofi'the upper portions of the alternate strips-from which the-packer is formed,-and the angular blocks of the gate work in these channels, save 'when'the gate is raised for the passage of a charge-of cotton. v

The feed channel and opening may thus be made relatively narrow vertically, and there will belittle danger of the packed cottonexpanding back,' so as to interfere with the op .eratiou of the parts or so as to interfere with thecorrect laying ofeach charge on the end face, so as to secure a uniform distribution and pressure throughout the bale.

'lheapparatus as a whole is of simplecharactor, capable ofbeing constructed cheaply, and is well adapted to be placed in the hands of ordinary lah'orf'or operation and consequently will answer more perfectly the pres;

cut-day requirements of a machine which may he owned and operated in proximity to the source of cotton production and ,from which the finished bales may be shipped directly to the consumers without the necessity of being first shipped to the compressors and after compression shipped to the consumers.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new isg 1. Juan apparatusof the character specified, the combination with a packing-charm"- ber, a reciprocator'y packer for -forcing material into the chamber, a yielding follower against the resistance of 'which the material is forced into'the chamber, and a press-chamber, follower and platen arranged parallel with the packin g-chamber, a transfer-follower,

operating -'transversely of the packing -and press chambers to transfer the preliminary package from one to the'other and meansfor retaining the package under compression while being transferred; substantially'as described.

- 2. In an apparatus of the character speci- "fied, the combination with a packing-chamfber, 'a reciprocatory packer for forcing material intothe chamber, a yieldingfollower against the resistance'of which the'material is so forced, and a press-chamber follower and platen arranged parallel with and to one "side of the packing-chamber, of guides be -tween the packing and press chambers, a

transfer-follower working transversely'from "one chamber to the-other and driving mechanism; substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus such. as described, the

combination; with an oscillatory packingchamber, a fixed feed-opening, a reciprocatory packer for advancing material through said opening and a yielding follower against the resistance of which the material is so adcombinatio vanced, of a press-chamber at one side of the packing-chamber, a transfer-follower operating transversely of the chambers to transfer the material from one tothe other, guides leading to the press-chamber and with which the packing-chamber registers at one point in its oscillation and driving mechanism; substantially as described.

a 4. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with the packing-chamber pivoted to oscillate vertically and a yieldingly; supported follower mounted in said chamber to oscillate therewith, of a reciprocatory packer having a relatively narrow feedmpe'ning leading into said chamber, a press-chamber follower and platen and a transverselyoperating transfer-follower for transferring the packed nia' from the packing-chamher to the pins chamber; substantially as described.

5. in an apparatus such as described, the with the packing chamber mounted on a horizontal pivot to oscillate cilli e with said. chamber and a packing-follower held. advanced by the pressure in said cylinder. of a feed-channel, a reciprocatory 'pacner working therein to force material into the packing-chamber against the resistance of the packing follower, a press chamber platen and follower andmeans for transferring the packed material from the packingchamber to the press-cham ber substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with theoscillatory packingchamber, means for packing material into the same, means to oscillate said chamber and a press-chamber platen and follower and operating mechanism therefor, of plates forming the endwalls of the packing-chamber mounted 'inways to move'transversely of said chamber and from said chamber to the press-chamber, a transfer-follower for moving said plates and mechanism for-moving said follower; substantially as described.-

7. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with the frame, the packingchamber mounted on a horizontalaxis to oscillate vertically, the press-chamber, platen .and follower and operating mechanism for said parts, .of' anend plate for the packingchamber mounted to move transversely of said chamber, a second plate forming the opposite end of said chamber, mounted in ways in the frame to move transversely of said chambers, guides for the plates located on the frame and extending from the packin -chamber to the press-chamber and a transfer-head with connections between said head and plates and means for operating said head to transfer the material held between said plates from the packing-chamber to the press-chamber; substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with the frame, the packingchamber mounted on a horizontal axis to oscillate vertically, the press-chamber, plat-en ,and follower and operating mechanism for said parts, of an end plate for the packing- -chamber. mounted to move transversely of press, of a plate forming the end wall of the packing-chain her, a transfer-follower and operating mechanism therefor for transferring the material from the packing-chamber to the press, a latch for connecting the transfer-follower and plate and means with which the latch cooperates when the said follower is re tracted to disconnect the plate and follower whereby the plate is left free to oscillate with the packing-chamber; substantially as described.

' 10. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with a press-chamber, follower IIO and platen with operating mechanism therefor, of a packing-chamber and packer for forcing material into said chamber arranged parallel with and to one side of the presschamber and a transfer-follower and operating mechanism therefor working transversely through the packing-chamber for transferring the packed material to the press-chamber; substantially as described.

11. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with the press chamber, follower and platen withoperatingmechanism therefor, of a packing-chamber, a reciprocatory packer for forcing material into said packing-chamber arranged parallel with and to one side of the press-chamber, guides for the packed material between thepacking and press chambers, a transfer-follower working transversely through the packing-chamber 4 said follower contacts to move the retainers out of its path substantially as described.

13. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with thepacking-ehamber. and a feed-channel opening into the same, of a reciprocatory packer working in said channel, and having a continuous bottom portion and grooved upper portion and a gate formed with projections extending into said grooves to prevent the back expansion of the mate-.

rial advanced by the packer; substantially as described.

14. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with the packing-chamber and a feed-channel opening into the same, of a reciprocatory packeriworking in said channel and formed of alternatingnarrow and wide strips whereby the upper portion of the packer is grooved and a gate having inclined pro; ections extending into said grooves whereby the back expansion of the packed material is prevented; substantially as described.

15. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with the packing-chamber, a feed-channel opening into the same and a. hopper opening into said channel, of' a reciprocatorypacker working in said channel past the hopper-opening for forcing material from the hopper into the packing-chamber, said packer being formed of parallel alternately wide and narrow strips whereby the top of the packer is grooved and a gate at the discharge end of the channel having blocks with inclined surfaces working in said grooves for preventing back expansion of the packed material; substantially as described. 16, In an apparatus such as described, the combination with a packing-chamber, a feedchannel opening into the same and a gate having. depending blocks partially closing the discharge of said channel, of a hopper openinginto the channel, means for supplying material to said hopper, a reciprocatory packer working in said channel past the hopper-openiug and having grooves in its upper surface into which the projections on the gate may ex tend and means for elevating saidgate as the packer advances; substantially as described.

17. In an apparatus such as described, the

combination with the oscillatory packingchamber, the feed-channel opening into the same, the gate for said channel having wedgeshape depending blocks and a reciprocatory packer working in the channel and having grooves in its surface for the said blocks, of ayielding follower in the packing-chamber,

a pneumatic cylinder and .piston for holding .said follower advanced, a press and a transfer mechanism fortransferring the. packed material frorp the packing-chamber to the presschamber; substantiallyas described.

In an" apparatus such as described, the combination with" the packing-chamber, the feed'-chan1 1el opening into the same and the vibratory. gate for said channel, of the recip- 1 rocatory packer working under said gate and a shaft having a crank connected with the packer for reciprocating the same and a cam for vibrating the gate; substantially as described.

19. In. an apparatus such as described, the combination with the packing mechanism and a transfer mechanism for transferring the packed material to a press, of a press at one side of the packing mechanism, guides between the two for the packed material and bagging-retainers located at each side of the channel formed by said guides whereby the bagging maybe held in position forthe reception of the packed material preliminary to the pressing of said material; substantially as described. a

20. In an apparatus such as described, the combination with the packing chamber, means for packing material therein, a presschamber arranged parallel with and atone side of the packing-chamber, a pl aten and follower for the press -chamber and transfer mechanism for transferring the packed mate- IOQ rial to the press chamber-,bf vertically-arranged baggingholders journaled on the frame A adjacentthe guides for the packed material and controlling means for said bagging-holders whereby the packed material may be packed into the bagging by the transfer mechanism; substantially as described. 7

21'; In an apparatus such as described, the combination with packing mechanism for forming a preliminary package and transfer mechanism for transferring such package bodily in its packed condition to a press, of a substantially described.

for holding said doors closed, a follower for press having its side toward said -packing pressing the package" and cooperating with mechanism open and counterbalanced, doors forming the top andbottom sides of the press;

doors to open when the follower reaches the inner extreme of its movement and means for 22. In an apparatus such as described the operating the follower; substantially as decombination with a packing mechanism for forming a preliminary package and a transfer scribed.

mechanism for transferrim the packa e in 7 its packed condition to a firess, of a piess- PEARL CROW chamber having its side toward the packing- Witnesses:

mechanism open, doors forming top and bot- CALVINPERKINS,

tom Walls of said press-chamber, draw-bolts i, D. MINOR.

said bolts towithdrawthe same and allow the 

